With the importance of naked bikes in the market today, it is worth remembering that the Ducati Monster debuted 25 years ago with a timeless design that Ducati has continually refined to this day. To celebrate 25 years of Monster, Ducati today announced the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario – a limited edition of only 500 numbered units.
This anniversary model has it all. Forged Marchesini wheels, Öhlins suspension and steering damper, several parts machined from billet, and plenty of carbon fiber. Oh, we almost forgot to mention 147 horsepower and 91 foot/pounds of torque motivating just 406 pounds of machine (dry weight). You can take a look at Ducati’s web site for more details, but have a look at the press release below, as well:
Ducati presents the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario
- The most precious and exclusive Monster ever to celebrate 25 years of history of the iconic Ducati naked
- Limited edition of only 500 numbered pieces
- A special colour scheme, machined from solid components, high-quality finishings, carbon fibre and a lot of technology
Bologna, Italy, 27 June 2018 – The Monster was first presented at the Cologne trade fair in 1992, production began on 5 March 1993 and in just a few years the bike reached icon status in the world of motorcycles. The model was responsible for launching the category of Naked sports bikes and an ever growing and ever more devoted community of riders grew up around it: the Monster fans. To celebrate 25 years of history of the most iconic of the Bologna-based manufacturer’s motorcycles – over 325,000 of them have been made since 1993 – Ducati has decided to create the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario.
Only 500 numbered motorcycles will be produced of the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario , which for Ducati embodies the maximum expression of a Naked sports bike. It is characterised by an exclusive livery featuring the three colours of the Italian flag on the nose fairing, fuel tank and passenger seat cover, inspired by the 2008 Monster S4RS Testastretta Tricolore. The special colour scheme partners perfectly with the prestige seat which is embroidered with the 25th anniversary logo. The gold coloured frame and forged Marchesini wheels with W spokes in the same colour are another distinguishing feature of this Monster, which also has numerous other prestigious details machined from solid, such as the mirrors, frame plugs, handlebar end weights and the petrol cap, which is a standard fitting. The articulated brake and clutch levers as well as the plate holder are also in aluminium, while the front and rear mudguards, the keyhole cover and the exhaust heat guard are in carbon fibre. The Monster 1200 25° Anniversario also comes with a bike cover, decorated with the particular logo of this special limited edition.
As for the chassis set up, the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario boasts the best anyone could wish for on a Naked sports bike. The tubular steel trellis frame and single-sided swing arm in aluminium are paired with a fully adjustable Öhlins fork with 48 mm diameter stanchions, an Öhlins rear suspension which is also fully adjustable, as well as a steering damper also supplied by the Swedish firm. The first-class braking system is made up of two 330 mm diameter Brembo discs paired with Brembo M50 monobloc callipers. The rear 245 mm diameter disk is matched with a Brembo caliper.
The Monster 1200 25° Anniversario is equipped with the latest evolution of the Testastretta 11° DS which guarantees high levels of power and torque as well as fluid and full delivery even at low revs and a manageable accelerator response that’s always gradual, ensuring maximum riding fun.
The twin-cylinder Monster 1200 25° Anniversario puts out 147 hp at 9,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 124 Nm at 7,750 rpm.
Thanks to the constant attention paid by Ducati to quality and reliability, the Testastretta 11° DS engine of the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario guarantees long maintenance intervals – the regulation of the valves, for example, is due every 30,000 km.
The impressive electronic package features three different Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban), as well as an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) which supplies information to the ABS Bosch Cornering and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) systems. Thanks to these high level electronic systems, which also include Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Quick Shift Up and Down (DQS) for swift gear changes without using the clutch, the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario guarantees authentic Ducati performance that is manageable and suitable for all riders, as usual also providing a high level of active safety control.
The colour TFT instrument panel provides all the necessary information and allows the rider to regulate the Riding Mode settings through a pleasant and user-friendly interface.
In addition, the headlight is equipped with a DRL (Daytime Running Light) system, which ensures perfect daytime visibility and allows for the motorcycle to be seen immediately.
The Monster 1200 25° Anniversario will be available in Europe from September, from October in Japan, from November in the United States and from December in Australia but can already be ordered at all Ducati Stores.
Exclusive characteristics of the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario:
- 25° Anniversario Italian flag livery with gold coloured frame and wheel rims
- Premium seat with embroidered “25°” logo
- Limited edition serial number (xxx/500) on the frame
- Forged Marchesini wheels with W spokes
- Öhlins steering damper
- Articulated brake and clutch levers
- Machined-from-solid mirrors
- Machined-from-solid frame plugs
- Machined-from-solid handlebar end weights
- Aluminium plate holder
- Carbon fibre keyhole cover
- Carbon fibre exhaust heat guard
- Carbon fibre front and rear mudguards
- Dedicated grips
- Nose fairing
- Machined-from-solid petrol cap (supplied)
- 25° Anniversario bike cover (supplied)
See more of MD’s great photography:
Not an Aprilia Tuono Factory. The only naked bike that matters.
It’s too bad no one really cares about this anniversary, otherwise the bikes would be in high demand. I had an early ‘93 900 Monster in excellent condition with some of the desired mods (FCR, slipper clutch, carbon fenders, etc). Everyone thought it was beautiful but no one really wanted it. I was only able to get $3,300 for it. If the original Monster is a collectible and that’s all they’re going for, this bike will quickly depreciate to something even less and you’re a fool with nothing more than the value of a down payment on a Ninja 400 left over.
If you love the bike, how could you be a fool? It’s a motorcycle, not a mutual fund.
I’m just pointing out that these bikes aren’t all that desired. Once the newness wears off the value plummets. People don’t really want them, they only want the new ones since they are expensive and it makes you look like you have a bunch of money (at least you did before you bought the bike). An Italian motorcycle is not like an Italian car, they don’t become more desirable with age.
Actually, they are desired. They are desired by people with disposable income who think they look cool and who think they are fun to ride. People who are fully aware of and are willing and able to suffer the depreciation. If they weren’t desired, the brand would perish. Curious, what makes you think $3300 is a bad price for a garden variety 15 year old motorcycle of any kind? KBB/NADA says a ’93 Monster is worth a hair over 3K…..retail. BTW, if you think Italian cars don’t depreciate then I have some swamp land to sell you.
This bike is exactly what your wife wants in a Live-In-Nanny. Works great…. but butt ugly!!
(ugly motor that is, the rest of it is nice.)
I’m surprised that the looks of this bike are so popular on here. To me it’s too busy and cramped looking. Personal taste is allowed, of course!
It makes me want to revisit an earlier air-cooled round-headlamp bike. Just about as simple a motorcycle as you could wish to look around.
I agree. I still love the looks of the Honda Blackbird. The thing is absolutely “silent” looking, very much removed from this type of bike. But as you say..personal taste.
A CB1100 you say… 😉
yessir…CB1100XX to be exact.
woops… CBR1100XX
yessir…CB1100XX to be exact.
Nice bike. Wouldn’t it be great to see a re-issue of the 900SS-SP? I would buy one for sure.
Or even the current SuperSport S but with the 1100 two-valve engine.
I’m not quite sure why some Ducati owners think the 2-valve engines are preferred over the current 4-valve motors. I’ve owned both and the 4-valves have it all over the 2-valves with one exception: the 2-valves are simpler, without all the water-cooling plumbing. To me, a better solution would be to redesign the LH engine case to hide all the plumbing inside the engine, like on the XDiavel.
I have owned both as well and you are right in that the 4 valve motor outperforms the 2V in pretty much every application. However, the 2V engines are cheap to own, they respond well to mods, and they sound better to me. I think an air-cooled Supersport would have a cool retro vibe.
As for the plumbing, I don’t mind a few hoses on a modern liquid cooled engine. It is what it is. If I get tired of the hoses or want to own two bikes, I hope they will still offer an option with fins and no hoses (like the 797 Monster).
I was poking around Craigslist yesterday and spotted a 1992, white frame, sitting there all lonely like. I had a 1992. I hated the carburetors, but I loved the bike. Gimme one of those with an 1100 air cooled Multistrada engine and I would be happy to rock off into the sunset.
There was an 1100 Hypermotard S with 5200 miles for $5500 had had me tempted also. But I already have a deeply twisted supermoto.
I owned an 1100 Hyper for several years. They make no practical sense whatsoever but man are they fun!
A beautiful bike and living proof that “Too much is never enough!” Ducati continues to fuel dreams.
My Kawasaki Z800 is about 75% of this bike at 40% the price and it more than meets my needs, but man that last 25%…
Well said.
What is the price?
No one knows yet, $20k assumption seems reasonable
Just for the heck of it, comparing HP, torque, and weight v. the Indian Scout. This Monster is:
144 lbs lighter
Only 9% less peak torque (about 100 v. 91 ft lbs)
Estimated HP advantage of about 65
I remember the earliest liquid cooled Monsters looked moderately hideous because of the exposed plumbing. This newest puppy looks pretty sexy.
The Indian Scout is meant to compete with the HD Sportster.
A closer comparison would be the Scout vs. Ducat Scrambler.
Honestly, there is still a lot of unsightly plumbing exposed on the left side of the bike, which is why I guess they never show pictures of the left side.
Indian Scout is a feet-forward cruiser.
Dave mentioned comparing it more to Ducati Scrambler and HD Sportster, which may be a point on tradition and price…
But Ducati’s feet-forward option is XDiavel, which is much more sophisticated, and also much more expensive than Indian Scout.
However, if an XDiavel S were available in a Tricolore treatment like this anniversary Monster… that would be a glorious bike.
Maybe reversed… red tail, white middle stripe, and green on the top of the tank, with a pale antique gold trellis frame, swing arm, and gold/machined wheels, and premium Ohlins suspension. If it needs a sinister turn, perhaps turn down the hues to a bloody metallic red, silver/grey pearl in leu of bright white, and dark metallic green like the 998 from the Matrix movie sequel.
Great looking bike!
Nice bike if Ducati keeps it under 20k. Perhaps this is the last twin cylinder Monster. I’m waiting for the v4 Panigale derived version should one ever make it into production.
If you can’t wait, Aprilia has been making that bike for a few years already. It’s pretty awesome from what I’ve read.
Three words:
Reliability
Dealer support
What ever it costs you better budget an extra 25% for the tariffs. Trade wars are hell.
Last HD tariff discussion got pretty emotional, not sure if bringing that up here again is the right place. I really dont care how much soybeans cost to china, I dont grow soybeans. I dont have plans to buy a HD, neither a monster. No one seems to really know what is happening, will happen, or whats going to happen, in the ‘trade war’. But it looks like a lot of American people will loose their jobs, so a few might be able to keep theirs.
What is it with Italians, they make beautiful bikes without front fenders. Within a few thousand miles, the engine and radiators are trashed from stone damage. No wonder they depreciate so quickly.
I’d rather see an updated air-cooled S2R1000. What’s better than a lattice single-sided swing-arm? That was the pinnacle of the Monster IMO.
+1
Keep it simple.
Very tastefully done.
“…the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario guarantees long maintenance intervals – the regulation of the valves, for example, is due every 30,000 km.”
So, what DOES that cost when 30,000 km comes up? And whatever that is, I’m going to blame it on Trump.
+1
Probably $1500 or thereabouts on a monster of that variety. As some wise-cracker on this site has been known to say, “you have 30,000 kilometers to save up for it………if you can’t do that, you can’t afford the bike”.
Beautiful bike. I wish I had the disposable income and room in the garage.
I own a Monster 1200 (2014). The cost of the valve clearance check at 18,000 miles / 30,000km is about $600 with a few valves needing to be adjusted within tolerance. Naked bikes are easy to work on.
I also own a Panigale ’14. This one costs around $1600 for the 15,000mi/ 24,000km valve clearance check. The monocoque frame requires a fair amount of the bike to be dissembled before maintenance can begin.
Multistradas run about $1500 (I’ve owned two) unless you do some of the unrelated stuff yourself and have a dealer that is OK with just checking/adjusting the valves and will still reset the service indicator.
For my 2011 Multi, I did everything noted in the manual myself except for the valve clearance checks and belt replacement. In that case, I got out the door for about $600 but it was several years ago and no valve adjustments were required. If adjustments were needed and/or I had the dealer do everything on the list, It would have been $1500 plus.
If you got an 18K service done on a four valve Ducati for $600, you got a good deal.
That’s terrible.
Beutifull bike reminds me of Christmas for some reason. The monster is one of those timeless designs should be around for a long time.
Now that Donald Trump he really gets my dander going!
I still like the air cooled two valve Ducati engine. Great street bike engine. It’s biggest surge of power is right where you use the engine the most. It’s like two good thumper engines on one case.
I owned a ’99 Super Sport, with the most refined version of the 900 air cooled motor. Re. the 1000cc motor, IMO the power and torque are certainly OK. The problem is its refinement, or lack thereof. I presume that emissions regulations cause a good ratio of its drivability issues.
Road tests indicate that refinement and drivability also suffered in the latest V-twin Superbike motors. I presume the 1200cc motor in this Monster, being significantly detuned, shall be more refined than the Superbike motor. IIRC the Superbike V-twin makes about 40 HP more than this Monster.
i have a cagiva gc with a version of that motor, slightly different cams for more midrange. It’s very smooth from idle up. With a ferracci chip i can smell the raw fuel at stop lights and the clutch is ridiculously heavy, but it’s glorious in its own way. Thing is you need to pay attention all the time to throttle inputs in order to ride smoothly, it is very alive. The modern bikes definitely more friendly and refined in this respect with multiple throttle maps available at the press of a button.
The Cagiva GC is a great bike! To improve the clutch, fit an aftermarket big-bore slave. To improve drive-ability at small throttle openings, shift the fulcrum on the fuel injection quadrant, as described by wilco on you-tube or the Yahoo GC forum. Raising the final drive gearing helps too.
The 11 degree configuration is a gem on the street compared to the old 41 degree superbike engine.
The 11 degree configuration is a gem on the street compared to the old 41 degree superbike engine.
The only Ducati I would ever want. Nice work people.
Falcodoug?
I’ve been using the name Falcofred since I first started posting on motorcycle forums many years ago. I owned an Aprilia Falco at the time. Long gone now, but the name stuck.
To this day the Falco with Staintune cans was the best sounding motorcycle I’ve ever owned.
I had StainTunes on my April Futura with an X-pipe.
Still one of the best sounding motorcycles I’ve ever owned.
Oh…you mean the motorcycle. I’m glad you cleared that up, because I had just naturally assumed you were both really big fans of “Rock Me Amadeus.”
Ages ago I heard your exact bike idling, even with same cans, at the San Francisco Aprilia dealer. I recall it indeed made gorgeous music.
It’s interesting the way certain ICE motors just really nail all the right aural “buttons” so to speak.
Circa early 70s (19, not 18), my then-coworker at UPS owned an extremely rare Porsche 914 w/OEM a/c flat 6 motor (as opposed to the ubiquitous VW flat 4…originally the 914 was to be a VW or Audi). He owned the local auto-cross circuit in that highly tuned 914-6 (IIRC the motor was 2.4L). 914s lack creature comforts, and are among the lightest cars of that era. Gearing and the torque band made for leisurely acceleration up to about 35mph, but after that, it was more than satisfying, and the noise was sex without the body contact.
I once test drove a like new early 00s Porsche Carrera Cabriolet, another flat 6 but liquid cooled, about 3.3L. My next door neighbor owned a late model Gold Wing.
I often rode my friend/pro motorcycle wrench’s well sorted OEM-black ’80 CBX, with OEM Sport Kit, Denco 6-1 header, perfectly jetted carbs, and cams from the ’79 model (the ’80 cams are softer for emission regs).
The above 6-cylinder motors all make beautiful, visceral music, especially in the top half of the rev band, and most of all the CBX (ask anyone who’s heard one, especially with a 6-1 exhaust and perfectly tuned). Blipping the throttle on that CBX was like a healing herb for the soul.
I owned an 82 CBX with stock exhaust, and it was still one of the most beautiful-sounding engines I have ever heard. Still miss that bike, especially the exhaust note.